The nation’s largest home builders say that buyer traffic has picked up, sales increased and prices are stabilizing

WASHINGTON – Oct. 31, 2011 – The nation’s largest home builders say that buyer traffic has picked up, sales increased and prices are stabilizing, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Commerce Department reported that, for the first time in five months, new-home sales rose, increasing 5.7 percent in September. Builder confidence also rose, reaching its highest level in a year in October, according to an index of builder sentiment by the National Association of Home Builders.

Falling home prices and low mortgage rates have encouraged buyers, some builders report. Builders say they’re trimming some of the big losses plaguing them since the housing bubble burst; but they note they still have a long climb out of one of the worst years on record for new-home sales.

PulteGroup Inc., the second largest builder in the country, reported an 8 percent increase in revenue to $1.14 billion in the most recent quarter. The company also reported narrower losses in the most recent quarter: $139.3 million in losses this quarter compared to $995.1 million a year earlier, The Wall Street Journal notes.

Ryland Group Inc. also narrowed its losses: $21.3 million from $29.9 million the year prior. Its revenue also increased, rising 23 percent to $249 million, and its closings also rose 20 percent and orders climbed 30 percent.

“Hopefully, this is an indication that we reached a baseline of demand for new homes in this country and that better days are ahead,” Larry Nicholson, Ryland’s chief executive, said in a conference call with investors.